When hiring a criminal defense attorney it is important to have a basic understanding of the types of fees an attorney may charge, how those fees are set, and what you can do to afford the best attorney possible for your case.
There are a couple ways criminal defense attorneys can charge for their services. Some charge hourly fees. An attorney who charges hourly fees charges an agreed upon hourly rate for work performed. Fees will be charged for time spent in court, conducting legal research, preparing motions, speaking to witnesses, and just about anything the attorney does to benefit the client. Unfortunately, if your attorney charges by the hour, you will also be billed for the time your attorney spends waiting in court for your case to be called. Since an experienced attorney will generally charge $200 per hour or more, attorney fees can add up quickly.
Attorneys can also charge a flat fee. This is the most common type of fee structure used by criminal defense attorneys. With a flat fee, an attorney charges an agreed upon amount to represent the client regardless of how much time is spent working on the case. The benefit in charging a flat fee is that you will know exactly how much your attorney will charge to handle your case. Unlike an hourly fee arrangement, you will not be surprised with a large bill at the end of your case. Additionally, delays caused by court congestion will not increase your legal fees.
Regardless of the method of payment you agree upon, there may be additional costs not covered by attorney fees. Typical costs include fees for investigators and expert witnesses. When hiring an attorney it is important to discuss what additional costs are anticipated in your case.
Attorney fees for criminal cases are set by the attorney charging the fee. When setting a fee, an attorney will usually consider the location of the case, the nature and number of charges, the complexity of the case, and the level of experience of the attorney.
When you are arrested unexpectedly it can be difficult to pay for an attorney. However, there are some things you should know that can help you afford an experienced criminal defense attorney.
- Attorney fees can be negotiated - Because attorney fees are not set in stone, you can try to negotiate fees with your attorney. It never hurts to ask.
- Many attorneys are willing to set up payment plans - Many attorneys, especially those that are self-employed, are willing to set up payment plans. However, these plans usually require a significant down payment as well as significant monthly payments.
- Financing is available for those who need to hire an attorney - Legal fees can be financed through companies such as Legal Lending Group, LLC and MyLegalLoan.com. Even if you have poor credit, these companies may be willing to lend money with a co-signor.
And of course, if you simply don't have the financial means to hire an attorney, the court will appoint a public defender to represent you.
